Limited auto repair facility approved after revised staff position

The Skokie Village Board Monday, May 18, signed off on a special use permit for a new automobile repair facility that came with a change in Village Staff's recommendation.

In a split vote, the Plan Commission had narrowly recommended against the special use permit for a limited repair facility at 3706 Oakton St. Mou Auto Body, located down the road at 3724 Oakton, wants to install a lift inside the building to assist with insurance quotes and provide tune-ups and suspension repairs, according to its special use request.

Mou Auto Body already uses the building to store vehicles, but will now add these services based on the Village Board vote. It will continue to use the space for storage as well.

Village Staff had initially recommended against the special use — mostly because of parking, said Planning Supervisor Steve Marciani. During the Plan Commission meeting, there was also discussion about the abundance of auto repair facilities in the area.

Mou Auto Body wanted relief from village code on two of four required off-street parking spaces that would have been less wide than what is allowed. Marciani said staff initially raised concerns over whether adequate parking existed on the site.

"After the [Plan Commission] meeting occurred," he said, "the petitioner obtained approval from the property owner to use a portion of his property for parking, which would make those two additional parking spaces conforming," Marciani said.

Mou Auto Body also agreed to limit storage of vehicles outside the building.